How to Make a Christmas Catnip Toy

Don't forget your furry best friend when making handmade gifts for the holidays. With just basic sewing skills, you can whip up a catnip-filled stocking-shaped toy as a surprise for your favorite kitty.

Pin

Like

Tweet

Google +

Email

Cat Playing With Catnip Toy

Don't forget your furry best friend when making handmade gifts for the holidays. With just basic sewing skills, you can whip up a catnip-filled, stocking-shaped toy as a surprise for your favorite kitty.

Tags:

Pets seem to anticipate the holidays almost as much as we do. There's an excitement that fills the home as boxes are hauled in from the attic, basement or garage and the tree is set up. Include your cat in the holiday fun by unpacking this catnip stocking to play with each year then later packing it away with the rest of the holiday decorations to reserve it for the season.

Materials Needed:

remnant of heavy, woven fabric

paper

pins

scissors

sewing machine

heavy duty thread

twine, trim and embellishments

dry catnip

spoon

Create Template and Cut Out Stocking

Create stocking template out of paper and pin to fabric. Cut out two pieces of fabric that are mirror images, so they will fit together to make one stocking. Tip: When creating the template, make sure it's small enough for a cat toy, but large enough to be able to sew and turn inside out.

Pinning Pattern to Fabric

Create stocking template out of paper and pin to fabric. Cut out two pieces of fabric that are mirror images, so they will fit together to make one stocking. Tip: When creating the template, make sure it's small enough for a cat toy, but large enough to be able to sew and turn inside out.

Sew Stocking

Place both stocking pieces together with right sides facing each other. Place a few pins to hold stocking halves together. Sew edges of stocking together, leaving top unsewn. Trim threads and turn stocking right-side-out.

Sewing Fabric With Sewing Machine

Place both stocking pieces together with right sides facing each other. Place a few pins to hold stocking halves together. Sew edges of stocking together, leaving top unsewn. Trim threads and turn stocking right-side-out.

Fill Stocking with Catnip

Use a spoon to fill stocking with dried catnip (Image 1). Once filled, fold ends of stocking top in and stitch closed by hand with an all-purpose sewing needle and coordinating thread (Image 2).

Filling Toy Stocking With Catnip

Sewing Toy Closed

Once stocking toy is filled with cat nip, fold ends of stocking top in and stitch closed by hand with an all-purpose sewing needle and coordinating thread.

Add Hanger and Decorative Cuff

Hand sew a loop of twine, ribbon or string to heel side of stocking top (Image 1). Cut length of trim that can completely wrap around stocking top and overlap by about 1/2" to create a decorative cuff. Hand stitch where cuff ends overlap and along stocking top (Image 2). Add any other desired embellishments, making sure all are securely attached to stocking and safe for cats to play with (Images 3 and 4).

Adding Twine Loop to Stocking

Hand sew a loop of twine, ribbon or string to heel side of stocking top.

Adding Cuff to DIY Stocking

Cut length of trim that can completely wrap around stocking top and overlap by about 1/2" to create a decorative cuff. Hand stitch where cuff ends overlap and along stocking top.

Christmas Catnip Stocking Toy

If your kitty goes gonzo for catnip (half of all cats do), treat them with a small, handmade toy to hold their stash. Scientists agree that smelling, rather than eating, catnip garners the biggest response but they still aren't sure what neurological reaction catnip triggers for sensitive cats. It's thought that it stimulates receptors in their brains that makes them feel initially energetic, playful and happy, then mellow and relaxed. Stitch up your own with our step-by-step instructions.

Some of the sweetest Christmas tree ornaments are the ones made by the littlest crafters. This retro kids' craft is a whimsical and fun interpretation of Santa Claus that can be made with common craft supplies in just a few minutes.